Apparatus for measuring and demonstrating the depth of damage

Abstract

A dent measurement apparatus is presented. The dent measurement apparatus may be used in conjunction with documenting damage in objects, such as vehicles. Such damage may include dents, and the documentation process may include images or videos. To convey detail, it may be desirable to focus the images or videos closely on a damaged region and, in such cases, the dent measurement apparatus may help provide context for the size and depth of the damage. In particular, the dent measurement apparatus may removably attach to and extend from the damaged area such that the depth of damage may be determined relative to one or more markings on the body of the dent measurement apparatus.

That which is claimed: 
     
       1. A dent measurement apparatus for measuring at least one dent in a vehicle, comprising:
 a fixed length elongated body having a first end and a second end; 
 a writing tip disposed at the first end of the elongated body; 
 an adhering component at the second end, the adhering component capable of generating sufficient attractive force to hold the otherwise unsupported elongated body to the vehicle within the at least one dent; 
 a plurality of measurement markings disposed on the elongated body, wherein the plurality of measurement markings are non-uniformly spaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance from the second end to indicates a threshold between differing vehicle repair milestones; 
 a relative position indicator slidably disposed along the elongated body to indicate in conjunction with the plurality of measurement markings a depth of the at least one dent; and 
 a cap attachable to the first end or the second end of the elongated body. 
 
     
     
       2. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adhering component further comprises a magnet. 
     
     
       3. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the magnet is at least partially included within the elongated body. 
     
     
       4. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the elongated body is hollow along at least a portion of its length and the magnet is pressed at least partially into the hollow portion of the elongated body. 
     
     
       5. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of measurement markings are spaced apart from one another at predetermined distances from the second end to indicate a threshold between differing vehicle repair milestones. 
     
     
       6. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the cap comprises a touch screen tip. 
     
     
       7. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a laser pointer, wherein a beam of the laser pointer is emitted from the first end. 
     
     
       8. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a light positioned at the first end. 
     
     
       9. A dent measurement apparatus for measuring at least one dent in a vehicle, comprising:
 a fixed length elongated body having a first end and a second end, the elongated body having a hollow cross-section; 
 a magnet at the second end, wherein the magnet is at least partially fit within the hollow cross section of the elongated body, and the magnet is capable of generating sufficient attractive force to hold the otherwise unsupported elongated body to the vehicle within the at least one dent; 
 a plurality of circumferential markings on the elongated body, each of the markings being positioned at predetermined distances from the second end to indicate a threshold between differing vehicle repair milestones; 
 a writing tip at the first end of the elongated body; 
 a cap that has a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion fits over the first end and about a segment of the elongated body; and 
 a ring shaped relative position indicator positionable along a length of the elongated body, wherein the relative position indicator includes a width measuring device at least partially extending therefrom to indicate a width of the at least one dent. 
 
     
     
       10. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the distal portion of the cap further comprises a touch screen tip. 
     
     
       11. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of markings further comprise a series of colored bands. 
     
     
       12. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the colored bands transition from one color to another color over a distance between adjacent bands. 
     
     
       13. The dent measurement apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of markings are spaced at unequal distances from one another. 
     
     
       14. A method for measuring at least one dent in a vehicle, comprising:
 attaching a dent measurement apparatus within the at least one dent, wherein the dent measuring apparatus comprises
 a fixed length elongated body having a first end and a second end, 
 a writing tip disposed at the first end of the elongated body, 
 an adhering component at the second end, the adhering component capable of generating sufficient attractive force to hold the otherwise unsupported elongated body to the vehicle within the at least one dent, 
 a plurality of measurement markings on the elongated body, 
 a relative position indicator slidably disposed along the elongated body to indicate in conjunction with the plurality of measurement markings a depth of the at least one dent, wherein the relative position indicator includes a width measuring device at least partially extending therefrom to indicate a width of the at least one dent, and 
 a cap attachable to the first end or the second end of the elongated body; and 
 
 sliding a relative position indicator along a length of the elongated body to indicate a depth of the at least one dent.